Unseasonably warm weather prompted a decline in delivery, with delivery occasions falling back -1.5ppts year-on-year in the four weeks to 1 October 2023, according to Lumina Intelligence.
The latest Eating and Drinking Out Panel snapshot shows a warm September drove consumers to spend more time outdoors, while opting for the affordable QSR channel, which rose +2.2ppts year-on-year.
The data also found that restaurants gained some share (+0.9ppts) against a weak comparative 2022, which saw consumer confidence at a record low at the height of the cost of living crisis.
Overall, those consumers participating in the eating out market (57%) are doing so more frequently year-on-year (+7.1%) as financial strain wanes for some consumers amid a drop in inflation.
However, a lack of penetration growth – despite stronger consumer confidence and lower inflation – highlights that there continues to be a segment of consumers disproportionately impacted by financial constraints and deterred from eating out.
Alongside QSR, the similarly wallet-friendly retail channel benefited due to greater lunchtime footfall, with lunchtime occasions increasing +2.4ppts in share to 26.6% of out of home occasions, following an extra bank holiday and multiple train strikes during the same period in 2022.
Comprehensive meal deal ranges and communications that champion value for money and reward loyalty will be key for competing coffee & sandwich shops, according to Lumina Intelligence.
